This article reviews the human trafficking crisis in Nepal, an issue brought to light recently by the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in April and May 2015, but which has been a problem in Nepal for many years. The article particularly highlights the phenomenon of child trafficking which has existed in the country prior to the earthquake, in which parents are coerced into putting their children in orphanages or homes. In the aftermath of the earthquake, it was feared that Nepal would see a rise in such trafficking of “earthquake orphans” (regardless of whether the children’s parents were living or not) and NGOs and other agencies have made concerted efforts to address this vulnerability. The article also describes the connections between trafficking and poverty.
